The new Bottega Veneta Maison, at 740 Madison Ave., will showcase the brand’s NYC-inspired “Icons of New York” capsule.Bottega Veneta

The son of an architect, Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier has an encyclopedic knowledge of significant buildings around the world. He brings that respect for architectural craftsmanship to his one-of-a-kind Maison flagships, which reflect the culture and heritage of each location, whether in Milan or Beverly Hills. This Friday, Bottega will officially open its latest and largest Maison — designed by Maier himself and comprising three landmarked 19th century townhouses — at 740 Madison Ave. Later that day, the Italian label will mark the occasion by presenting a combined men’s and women’s fashion show in NYC for the first time, instead of in Milan. Here, Maier tells Alexa about his favorite Manhattan skyscrapers and the capsule collection he created just for New Yorkers.

Why did you choose to open the world’s biggest Bottega Veneta store in New York?
It’s a kind of homecoming. Bottega Veneta opened its first store outside of Italy on Madison Avenue in 1972. Jacqueline Onassis shopped there; Andy Warhol was a regular visitor and even made a short film about the brand. I think Madison Avenue feels more suited to us. I also have a personal connection as I live in this neighborhood when I spend time in the city.

The architecture was inspired by some of New York’s famous skyscrapers. What are your favorite buildings here?
My office is in Midtown and I’m surrounded by an array of amazing buildings, from the 1920s to present day, from every major architect. There’s Edward Larrabee Barnes’ IBM Building; the Lever House by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; and the Seagram Building by Mies Van der Rohe. All of that is such an inspiration.

The Maison is mostly illuminated by natural light. How did you achieve this feat?
Since these townhouses were private residences, you have loads of daylight throughout the store. It’s very rare to go into a Manhattan store that isn’t a build-out with a glass front that’s all artificially lit. Daylight is a luxury.

What’s the concept behind the Apart-ment on the fourth floor?
The client who wears the clothes and carries the bags; how does she live? What’s her environment like? This is set up with our furniture and home like a residential space to illustrate that. It will have artwork on the walls and books on the shelves — very much like a real home.

A bronze ball-chain curtain hangs in several places. Was this inspired by the famous Four Seasons metal beaded curtains?
Yes, I really like that detail from the Pool Room of the old Four Seasons. It gives a little bit of transparency but it’s not completely transparent.

Tell us about your 33-piece “Icons of New York” capsule collection of leather goods.
“Icons of New York” is really about talking to New Yorkers and giving them what they love. We took our own iconic styles like the “Veneta” hobo and the “Brick” backpack and created an homage to the city by merging them with all these quintessential motifs — the skyline, the colorful and graphic subway map and the grid of the city, which you recognize immediately if you know it.

A leather good from the 33-piece Bottega Veneta "Icons of New York" Capsule Collection

Bottega Veneta

A leather good from the 33-piece Bottega Veneta "Icons of New York" Capsule Collection

Bottega Veneta

A leather good from the 33-piece Bottega Veneta "Icons of New York" Capsule Collection